2013 Red Bordeaux

Learn more about 2013 Red Bordeaux

Bordeaux 2013 has been a challenge for everyone and considering that the vintage was written off by some, even before a wine was tasted, it is pleasing to find that good terroir and good winemakers have created good wines.

Our Chairman, Simon Berry, in his blog about the potential of this vintage, reflected on how " we may never see a bad vintage again. The weather conditions in 2013 were truly dreadful: only a hot July and August bucked the trend. Some estates – anything between 20 and 50, depending on whose palates you trust – had the terroir, the technology, the money or the mastery to come up with wines which are truly worthy of their brands."

Simon Berry concludes that a new pattern emerges in the way Bordeaux vintages are assessed. "There will be no more highs and lows, peaks and troughs, triumphs and disasters – now we will have great years, and perfectly decent years. So perhaps we should treat Bordeaux like we treat our music: looking out for the latest release from our favourite artist, and buying it expecting to be surprised at their development, or a new interpretation. We could use painting as an analogy, or a favourite actor if you prefer. But the concept of sticking to a group of your favourite châteaux, buying a case or so from each vintage and watching their development over the years is not such a strange one. "

Bordeaux Red Wines Assessment Historically low yields, historically different blends (Ch. Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande in Pauillac have produced a 100% Cabernet Sauvignon for the first time in 2013), and the requirement for rigorous selection, were recurring themes that winemakers were keen to discuss with us during our visit to sample the vintage in late March and early April 2014.

This, plus the effect of weather patterns during the growing season and the differences in terroir have caused great inconsistencies in style between appellations and even between wines from the same commune or indeed vineyard. Take for example Ch. Margaux, who used no Merlot for the first time in their Grand Vin for 2013, and Ch. Palmer who had 49% Merlot in their blend. These two properties from Margaux have different terroir with Paul Pontallier of Ch. Margaux explaining how theirs is perfectly suited to Cabernet Sauvignon and Thomas Deroux of Ch. Palmer being very happy with his Merlot harvest. Good terroir and having plantings of the most suitable grape varieties upon it made the creation of good wine a bit easier.

However, winemakers still had a crucial role to play with the most successful wines of the vintage being able to preserve the balance between the wines’ aromatic expression and a precise, silky structure. Rich, fleshy fruit was hard to find and quite simply came from properties who were able to conduct slow, gentle extraction during vinification. Handling the fruit gently was very important as the grapes were more fragile than in recent years.

2013 is not a great vintage and, across the board, we may not even be able to class 2013 as a good vintage. But what is unfair, is to judge every wine as a collective. In years such as these it is important to taste as many wines as possible and judge them on their merits, while meeting the winemakers to hear about the difficulties they face and learning how they overcame them.

Weather Conditions All vintage assessments have to begin with understanding how the weather influenced the winemaking process and it is quite clear that 2013 was a complicated vintage. Spring was long and cold, with the first six months of the year seeing very heavy rainfall. In fact, the rainfall was so high in St Estèphe that Ch. Calon-Ségur recorded an extraordinary 230 days of rain during 2013, compared with a 30-year average of just 124.

Average temperatures in April and May were the lowest of the decade and this all caused great concern, with many seeing flowering severely delayed and others fearing that their vines may shut down completely. In almost all cases, this lack of sunshine caused coulure and millerandage, which reduced the yields.

Vines don’t tend to prosper in cold, damp conditions so it was fortunate that the summer weather improved, with July proving to be particularly hot, and followed by some extremely high temperatures and stormy weather in August, especially in the earlier part of the month. At the end of the summer and moving into September, the weather became even more unpredictable with a mixture of humidity, rain and warm temperatures causing concern.

Ripening isn’t necessarily affected by this type of weather pattern, but it does increases the likelihood of botrytis, which was found at many estates. Where severe attacks of botrytis took place, and indeed in many cases where predicting the optimum period for grape ripening and thus harvesting wasn’t possible, estates had to harvest very quickly and relied upon the responsiveness, perseverance and hard work of their grape pickers tremendously.

In many cases the grapes did ripen fully, but the unfortunate mixture of unpredictable weather during the key early and late months, meant that many properties struggled to provide a richness and flesh to the fruit on the palate, something which is found almost across the board in the exceptional and warm vintages such as 2009.

Having been difficult to predict throughout the growing season, and generally arriving very quickly and requiring fast responses, harvest arrived late, with some properties harvesting in late September and others during early-mid October. This of course varies from estate to estate and indeed across the variety of different grape varieties which are planted. It should be noted however, that whilst the harvest should be classed as late, we are only talking about a difference of a week to ten days in some cases.

Preventative methods proved their full worth once again. With canopy management, de-leafing, green harvesting, and in many places bunch selecting in August, having a positive effect on the outcome of the wines. Despite this, ripening within bunches was still uneven, so a lot of work was required in the vineyard and in the cellar, carefully selecting and carefully managing the fruit throughout the winemaking process.

The 2013 Beauséjour (Duffau Lagarrosse) offers impressive intensity given the growing season with crisp and pure dark cherries, raspberry coulis and subtle earthy bordering upon loamy scents. The oak here is nicely enmeshed and attests some clever winemaking in this challenging season. The palate is well balanced with a little chewiness on the entry. There is admirable weight here, even if I discerned more finesse and precision on the 2013 Pavie-Macquin. Still, this constitutes a sterling effort and it should give 10 to 15 years of pleasure, possibly longer.Neal Martin - The Wine Advocate #227, Oct 2016

This is an eclectic blend of all that makes Bordeaux great. Predominantly Merlot, the blend includes 58 percent of sumptuous and juicy Merlot from St Emilion, a rich and concentrated blast of cool, blackcurrant-cordial scented Cabernet Sauvignon (32 percent) from Pauillac’s hallowed soils, and a regal splash (10 percent) of aromatic and spicy Cabernet Franc from the plateau of Pomerol and St Emilion. Soft, plump and succulent, this is a scrumptious drop created to make you excited about the second glass before you finish the first. Making it was great fun and we hope you enjoy not only the wine, but where the profit is going with every sip. Cheers!Simon Staples - Sales Director, Asia

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A striking nose with cherry, violet and a lighter strawberry character coming through. There is a brilliant perfumed lift and purity to the nose – a head turner. Texture and weight on the palate that has been hard to come by this vintage. Lovely flesh of fruit with oh so fine tannins and a lovely edge and raciness thanks to the acid that cuts through the fruit. Poised, focused and very classy. One of the best in 2013. Serious wine.Adam Bilbey - Sales Director

Very sweet cassis on the nose with a touch of violet, pure, and mineral. This wine is almost floating on the palate and very elegant. only a great terroir could have produced such an amazing wine in this vintage, it is focused, light but yet intense and seamless, very comparable to a to Grand cru burgundy where power does not comes from extraction but the terroir. It is free run juice on steroids...brilliant. Max Lalondrelle - Fine Wine Buying Director

A consistent 2013 nose is in attendance with a depth of well perfumed fruit. Red fruits continue at the front of the palate, and similar to the 2012 vintage, the wine doesn’t seem forced or over-extracted. Cool, fresh and quite enjoyable.

Ch. Bourgneuf is located in the midst of the Grands Crus vineyards on the western side of a high plateau in Pomerol. A product of the Jean-Pierre Moueix stable, the wine shows attractive ripe fruit on the nose with just a hint of green pepper. The palate shows a fairly typical Pomerol style, with dark fruits displaying with some richness and nicely judged tannin integration.

A wine that has energy and is light on its feet. The nose jumps out the glass (even by GPL standards), with red currant, cherry and beautiful mint and hedgerow lift. This is all matched by a touch of spice from the oak. As always one of the most appealing noses in Pauillac! A streamlined and focused palate, offering cherry and raspberry fruit. An overall freshness and energy with enough flesh to balance the spice from the oak that adds length to the finish. As always this is a composed and whilst not the grandest or long lived GPL, if priced well this is a great buy to drink whilst waiting for the 2009 and 2010.Hong Kong Fine Wine Team

Simply delicious! Apart from D’Yquem this got my joint highest score of the week. Where a large amount of Chateaux seemed to have missed the core out of their wines this is almost showing off with its abundance of soft, succulent juicy ripe black and red fruits. Creamy, soft, perfumed with beautifully refined tannins that melt in the mouth. A bit like its fellow Pessac, Haut Bailly, Domaine de Chevalier has a distinctive elegant house style that you once you get hooked you just can’t wean yourself off it. I have bought every vintage since 2005 and this will be no exception. Simon Staples - Asia Sales Director

Very calm, pure, dark fruited, even suave and certainly assured the 2013 Ch. Léoville-Poyferré shows much of the polished, more contemporary style, that we have come to expect from the quietly determined Didier Cuvelier and team this last decade. This does have a serious-enough tannic finish but there is fruit aplenty and 2013 can be considered a vintage for the château to be proud of and one that will reward mid-term. Drinking 2019-2025.Tom Cave - Cellar Plan Manager

Lovely sweet intensity on the nose, lots of pure cassis coming through on the nose, very polished and pure with a touch of well integrated oak. Lots of cassis and black cherries coming through on the palate, good complexity, sweetness and generosity for the vintage and compared to other wines from the region, a good long and well balanced finish. Classic poyferre and another tour de force in a difficult vintage. I have some 01 and 04 in my cellar which are delicious now and this should prove to be a wise purchase for the followers of this property if released at the right price.Max Lalondrelle - Fine Wine Buying Director

Sweet red currant and cherry fruit with a some kirsch and raspberry, too. Very stylish and some substance here. Sappy up front fruit with layers and a roundness and freshness of fruit. There is a structure and character on the palate that has been missing in so many wines from St Julien. Clos du Marquis will easily go toe to toe with some more illustrious neighbours this vintage.Hong Kong Fine Wine Team

Great blackcurrant concentration on the nose, sweet and pure, almost creamy, there are lots of layers of black fruits coming through on the palate, with some good complexity which is rare in this vintage and a testament to the quality on Las Cases terroir. The finish is very pure, fresh, long and multi layered. Jean Hubert Delon and his team have yet again performed very well and produced a wine with little scars from the vintage. For me it will be a classic Las Cases and a lovely wine to drink in years to come. My wine of the vintage.Max Lalondrelle - Fine Wine Buying Director

98% Cabernet this vintage, which shows in an extremely pure, focused and streamlined nose. Blackcurrant and cassis jumps out, along with a red fruit and floral note, which is matched by a creamy spice from the oak. Very, very elegant. A core of darker fruit on the palate with a touch spice added by the super fine tannins. The freshness of acid works well with the lighter red fruit that come to the fore on the finish. Fine boned, poised and refined as always, this is like your mums porcelain china. More accessible than usual for Lafite but elegance class none the less.Hong Kong Fine Wine Team

35-year-old vines have produced an engaging, yet restrained nose, before high acidity and effective balance of components follow through on the palate. Acidity, tannin and plum fruit all in attendance. A hint of peppery spice and vanilla complete the finish.

A truly lovely and alluring perfume on the nose, full of ripe Blueberry and redcurrant fruit. Texturally on the palate, this Clinet stands head and shoulders above most other 2013 wines we had tasted so far. A solid and tight core of fruit that unfurls on the back palate with persistent and yet well integrated tannin. A lovely smoky note on the length from the Oak. A really good offering in 2013.Stuart Rae - Private Account Manager

Alexandre Thienpont surprised us all this year: at one point he was contemplating not making any 'Grand Vin' at all, and then he made one of the undoubted stars of the vintage. Furthermore, he achieved this with a cepage made up of mainly Merlot - extraordinary in this vintage, and especially extraordinary from this vineyard, which used to be an island of Cabernet Franc in the middle of the Pomerol sea of Merlot. The only downside is that he has had to sacrifice most of his crop, and has therefore produced tiny quantities. They are bound to be snapped up.Simon Berry - Chairman

Sandwiched between two of the most famous names in Bordeaux, Ch. Lafleur and Ch. Pétrus (hence the name), this is usually one of the most elegant wines in Pomerol. Continuing the rich vein of form at this estate, peppery spice dominates the nose of this nicely perfumed 2013 wine, which shows good intensity and poise. A cooling freshness dominates the palate which is in relative harmony - strong dark fruits, with acidity, tannin and a fairly persistent finish.

Wonderful dark bitter chocolate laced with punchy raspberry aromas on the nose. Real generosity on the palate with a warmth and richness that belies the vintage. Lovely long finish and should come in as an utter bargain at under c.200 GBP per case (en primeur). If you have enjoyed this Château's lovely 2001 and 2002 as I have I think this is a step up even. Super drop. Simon Staples - Asia Sales Director - April 2014

Very aromatic on the nose, lots of black fruits, again sweet and spicy. Very creamy on the palate, lovely fresh yet concentrated black fruits, very good balance and generous blackfruit layered finish. Very good indeed.Max Lalondrelle - Fine Wine Buying Director

Always a value wine and likely to be so again this year despite being steps ahead of most of its peers. Atypical for du Tertre, this has 80% Cabernet Sauvignon but the result really is a triumph for the vintage. Warmth, generous, focussed core and breadth of fruit backed by savoury, cooling tannins provides exceptional length and energy. We’ve been following du Tertre for over a decade now and the investment made at the Chateau is now showing the full results with other ‘lesser’ vintages such as 2001, 2002 and 2007 providing superb drinking with quality to boot, this 2013 will undoubtedly provide the same. A bargain. Jake Dean - Fine Wine Sales Director

More elegant than many vintages, it delivers in so many other ways. Aromas of sweet bright fruit jump out of the glass, silky velvety red berry notes with good, supple richness. The structure behind this wine provides perfect balance and harmony with a beautiful uplifting and generously long finish. We are not sure how many will follow Angludet’s example but despite the room for manoeuvre being much tighter at this level, they are aware of the market needs so have released almost 20% below the release price of 2011. Jake Dean - Fine Wine Sales Director

A sweet and fruity nose shows hints of spice and there is a really attractive mouthfeel. Ben Sichel was worried about ripening, particularly in regard to his Cabernet Sauvignon, but we think he has succeeded with good depth and weight of fruit shining through on the palate. 25% of the estates yield was used for this 2013 and there were just 65,000 bottles produced in this vintage, rather than 90,000 in 2012.

In years to come, 2013 Ch Margaux will be a legendary wine: the first (and perhaps last) Merlot free Margaux. Tasting reveals that great terroir, first class vineyard management and great wine-making means that we don't miss out, and that 5% Cabernet Franc and the 1% Petit Verdot have added a touch of complexity too. It might not be typical Margaux, but it's proof that the vintage was capable of producing complete, stunning wine.Simon Berry - Chairman

Just 38% of the crop from yields as low as 22hl/ha, there will be only 7,000-8,000 cases of Merlot-less Ch. Margaux made in 2013. The higher proportion of Cabernet initially gives it a Pauillac-pencil-box nose but this soon dissipated into a more Margaux style of wine, with that grace and elegance that signifies this most stylish of First Growths. Returning to it again, it had opened out with charming, floral notes. The length and development is there, finishing fresh and full. The ever urbane Paul Pontallier wasn’t trying to promote it as anything more than a very fine accomplishment in what was a near impossible vintage; a wine to be enjoyed, and Paul to be praised for it, around 2020.Tom Cave - Cellar Plan Manager

Much of the estate lying outside the commune and therefore providing a bit more backbone than most other Margaux is arguably a good thing in 2013. The 75% Cabernet Sauvignon provides Giscours with a deep intensity of crunchy blackberry fruits and energy few others have managed. A hit of beautifully sweet ripeness on the palate combined with fine, ripe tannins, gentle but balanced structure will give immense drinking pleasure in the next 5 to 15 years. An honest estate making the most of their terroir year in year out and a rare opportunity to have a quality Margaux on your table for less the £30 a bottle, difficult to say no! Jake Dean – Fine Wine Sales Director

A vibrant red colour, with redcurrant and blackberry on the nose, weaved with a touch of spice. 75% Cabernet Sauvignon gives a kick of cassis on the palate which flows neatly through the wine. Structure is very gentle and this should be approachable relatively early. Touch of toast on the finish. One of the successes in the Margaux appellation this year.Fergus Stewart – Private Account Manager

There is a record amount of Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend this year and it has helped to create a lovely expression of Ch. Giscours. There is a good balance, a touch of sweetness, ripe engaging fruit and superbly integrated tannins.

We always know that when we visit Ch. Palmer, even with difficult growing conditions as in 2013, we will be presented with a wine full of Palmer typicity – Poised, plush, sweet, elegant and ethereal fruit. The palate is medium bodied with a lovely swathe of cassis and blueberry fruit throughout the mid palate. Plush and well integrated tannins take the length through to an effortless conclusion with a cooling acidity. A generous and yet balanced Palmer, plush and velvety. Stuart Rae - Private Account Manager

At our en primeur tasting, Ch. Palmer described the Grand Vin as 'the treasure that we try and save' in reference to the harsh declassification that was done at the estate in 2013. Only 3800 cases were made rather than the usual 9000. The result is a light-footed finesse, with pretty fruit on the mid palate and a style reminiscent of the 2001. It is well knitted together with very fine tannins and a floral lift right at the finish. Let’s hope that the tiny quantities do not translate into high prices. The final blend was 51% Cabernet Sauvignon and 49% Merlot.

Lots of red cherries on the nose with a touch of oak, crunchy fresh fruits on the approach, the wine is not too powerful but very elegant and fresh. There some acidity on the finish but the tannins are very ripe and gentle and the wine will not doubt integrate during the ageing. Rauzan offered its wine last year at a substantial discount which made it the most Popular wine of the 2012 campaign. With the strength of the brand, a good release price should make this an attractive purchase. Good effort.Max Lalondrelle - Fine Wine Buying Director

Enticing and pretty aromas float around the nose. There is an aromatic palate with high acidity, ripe tannins and a persistent finish. Fleshy fruit is present, but less so than in the most highly acclaimed vintages. Dark fruits are in the ascendancy. The yield was just 33hl/ha, usually it is as high as 45hl/ha.